London Lions beaten in Second Round opener, despite bright start

By Bradley Gains on December 8, 2021

Image credit: FIBA

London Lions opened their FIBA Europe Cup second round campaign with a 107-82 defeat away at Bahcesehir College in Istanbul, on Wednesday.

It was likely to be the Lions’ toughest test in the group and they made a strong start to lead by as many as 10 in the first half.

Marquis Teague top scored with 19 points with Kylor Kelley adding 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting, while Isaiah Reese had 15 points, five rebounds and six assists in defeat.

Box score.

The visitors made a bright start to lead 10-17 on a three from Aurimas Majauskas and soon moved into a double-digit lead early in the second on an and-1 play from Kelley.

However, Bahcesehir fought back to take a slender 50-49 advantage into the half-time break and the Turkish side pulled away when play resumed as they outscored London 30-12 in a pivotal third period. There was no way back for the Lions and they were beaten by 25 points.

The Lions will stay on the road for their next two games with trips to Russia and Denmark to face Avtodor Saratov and Bakken Bears before a three-game stretch at the Copper Box Arena to finish.

Do you like our work?

We have a tiny favour to ask. In 2018 we set out to make Hoopsfix sustainable by building our relationship directly with our readers. Up until now, Hoopsfix has been creating editorials, videos and podcasts to provide sorely missing coverage of the British game and its distinct culture and community.

We have funded Hoopsfix with our freelance work creating basketball media, but sadly that means not only does it fall behind our client’s priorities, but some of those clients are the same organisations we need to report objectively on putting us in a conflicted position.

We want to devote more time to our mission of helping British basketball reach its potential, and produce even more content for the basketball community by making Hoopsfix a sustainable 100% independent business funded directly by our readers through Patreon.

If everyone who enjoys our content chose to support us, our future would be much more secure. For as little as $3 per month, you can support Hoopsfix – and it only takes a minute.

We are tremendously honoured and humbled to have a community of people who value what we do, and we look forward to being at the forefront of the British game as it continues to evolve.

Support Hoopsfix